One of the Walla Walla mainstays, Walla Walla Vintners began back in 1995 just a few years before I moved to Whitman College. The current proprietors, Scott and Nici Haladay, were first introduced to Walla Walla Vintners in 2017. Already familiar with the historic winery, they were excited to get the chance to be the new stewards of the iconic red barn and Cut Bank Estate vineyard. Scott comes from a technology background and Nici is a licensed nurse.
Winemaker Derrek Vipond is a is a native Washingtonian who started his career at Walla Walla Community College in the Enology and Viticulture program. After completing his education with a degree from Oregon State University in Fermentation Science, Derrek worked several harvests across the globe before eventually moving back to Walla Walla and joining Walla Walla Vintners in January 2019.
I love the new wines by Derrek which I feel are getting better and better as he adapts to the style of the vineyard. Don’t miss out on the delicious 2020 Walla Walla Vintners ‘Columbia Valley’ Cabernet Franc (OB, 92) as this shows beautiful typicity as well as depth and concentration. Even better is the sensational 2019 Walla Walla Vintners ‘Old Vine Sagemoor Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 94) which is one of the finest wines I have tasted from this estate. Learn more about these great new releases at https://wallawallavintners.com Here are my reviews of the new wines by Walla Walla Vintners.
2020 Walla Walla Vintners ‘Columbia Valley’ Cabernet Franc- A fantastic, already nicely evolved blend of 78% Cabernet Franc with the remainder Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, this offers wild herbs with violets and ripe dark fruits on the nose. The palate is soft, offering downright delicious black fruit flavors with coffee grounds and notes of creme de violette. Drink 2022-2030- 92
2020 Walla Walla Vintners ‘Walla Walla Valley’ Merlot- The 2020 Walla Walla Vintners ‘Walla Walla Valley’ Merlot is sourced from their estate vineyard as well as the Seven Hills, Summit View and Pepper Bridge vineyards. The wine is very elegant and soft upon entry. Bright acidity and soft tannins hold together a core of cocoa powder dusted black cherry, tobacco leaf and loganberry preserves. This shows very good flavor density considering the coolness of the vintage. Drink 2022-2032- 92
2019 Walla Walla Vintners ‘Columbia Valley’ Sangiovese- This 100% varietal wine spent 16 months in only 15% new French oak before bottling. Nicely rustic, with bright acidity, the wine delivers pomegranate seed, dusted earth and worn leather notes that combine with a soft texture. This is a perfect foil for fresh marinara-based pasta. Drink 2022-2030- 91
2019 Walla Walla Vintners ‘Sagemoor Vineyards Old Vines’ Cabernet Sauvignon- One of the state’s historic vineyards, the Sagemoor Vineyard was planted to Cabernet Sauvignon back in 1972. Very inky once in the glass, this 2019 ‘Old Vines’ Cabernet Sauvignon delivers a very smooth mouthfeel upon entry. Layers of toasty oak combine with ripe dark currants, espresso grounds, dark chocolate shavings and suggestions of graphite on the palate. This is truly one of the best wines I have tasted from this estate, as the 2019 ‘Old Vines’ is gorgeous to consume now and will surely live on for another fifteen years. Drink 2022-2037- 94
2019 Walla Walla Vintners ‘Vottavo’ Red Wine- A Super Tuscan inspired blend of 75% Sangiovese with the remainder Cabernet Sauvignon and a dollop of Syrah, this delivers a soft mouthfeel with firm tannins holding in a place of ripe red and dark fruits, with menthol notes. A bit tight right now, consider giving this an hour in the decanter if enjoying in its youth. Drink 2023-2032- 92
2019 Walla Walla Vintners ‘Cut Bank Estate Vineyard’ Red Wine- Inspired by the Right Bank, the 2019 Walla Walla Vintners ‘Cut Bank Estate Vineyard’ Red Wine combines 70% Merlot with the remainder Cabernet Sauvignon. Ripe black and red fruits parade with milk chocolate and scorched earth notes, with herbal accents on the palate. Already beautifully evolved, consume this fantastic new blend over the next ten plus years. Drink 2022-2035- 93